Key-keeper.



No. 679,758. Patented Aug. 6, l90l. A. B. LANG.

KEY KEEPER.

(Application filed Nov. 12, 1900.)

(No Model.)

W awed/4224 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

- ALBERT B. LANG, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEWIS A. BROWN, OF SAME PLACE.

KEY-KEEPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 679,758, dated August 6, 1901. Application filed November 12, 1900. Serial No. 36,243. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. LANG, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Keepers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to key-keepers; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter shown, described, and claimed.

One object of this invention 'is to provide a suitable device designed to be used in com bination with the knob of a door and having means for engaging a key mounted in the keyhole to positively retain the same therein, and the device is so constructed that it cannot be removed from its engagement with the key except by a person on the same side of the door upon which the key is carried. The key being thus retained within the keyhole, it is rendered absolutely impossible to pick the look from the outside and the door cannot be unlocked except from the inside and then only after the key-keeper has been disengaged from the key. The advantages of such results are obvious.

A further object is to construct a device so that it may be used with equal advantage to engage a key having a short or a long stem, making the device reversible, so that it will be operative in either instance.

Further objects and advantages willappear from the following detailed description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective,showing myimproved key-keeper in operative position and engaged with a key having a long stem. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the key-keeper engaged with a key having a short stem, the reverse position being shown by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the key-keeper disengaged from the door.

In the construction of my improved keykeeper I provide two arms 1, having their upper ends rigid with a crescent-shaped casting 2. The member 2 may be omitted in some instances or whenever desired, and the arms 1 may be made integral with each other and bent into the form shown. The device will be operative in either instance; but it has been found that the casting 2 will prevent the spring from becoming weakened by use, which would occur were the said arms 1 made integral and bent into the form shown.

The arms 1 extend downwardly a suitable distance and are bent to form the parallel projections 3, and the said arms are further bent downwardly and inwardly and have their lower ends 4 projecting downwardly and bearing against each other. The purpose of bending the arms 1 to forin the projections 3 is to form the device so that it may be used either with a key having a long stem or with one having a short stem. When used with a key having a long stem, the position is that shown in Fig. 1, in which the projections 3 extendaway from the door, so that if desired it may be used with a key having a stem which projects beyond the door-knob. When used in combination with a key having a short stem, the position is that shown in Fig. 2, in which the projections 3 are turned toward the door, the arms 1 in which case being against the knob of the door.

In using my improved key-keeper the arms 1 are sprung apart, bringing the portions 4 away from each other, so that the device may be passed over or around the shank of the door-knob. After being placed in this position the arms 1 are released, and their tension again draws them together as far as the shank of the knob will permit, and the projections 41 may then be engaged with the ring of the key in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The key is then positively held within the keyhole and cannot be turned therein, nor can it be pushed out by forcing any object against the inner end of the key. By this means an ordinary lock is rendered absolutely safe, and it cannot be unlocked except by a person on the same side of the door on which the keykeeper is located, and then only after the keykeeper is disengaged from the ring of the key.

When in use, the device occupies very little room, making it a very desirable attachment for those locks of ordinary construction,

which are subject to the objections above mentioned.

The device is simple, perfectly operative, and very little cost is involved in its construction.

It will readily be seen from the drawings that the keeper is adjustable, which enables the points 4 to be inserted in the key regardless of any position the keyhole maybe located relative to the knob.

I claim 1. A key-keeper adapted to be mounted over the shank of a door-knob, and consisting of the two arms 1 having the parallel extensions 3 and the projections 4 normally bearing against each other and adapted to engage with the ring of the key, substantially as specified.

2. A key-keeper, consisting of the arms 1 having their ends rigid with the retainingcasting 2 and having the parallel extensions 3, and the terminals 4 bearing against each other and being adapted to engage with the ring of a key, substantially as specified.

3. A key-keeper, consisting of a pair of vertical arms, each having a horizontal projection rigid therewith and a vertical extension integral with each of said horizontal projections and adapted to engage with the ring of the key, substantially as specified.

4:. A key-keeper consisting of a pair of vertical arms rigid with a suitable reinforcingcasting, horizontal projections rigid with said arms, and the vertical extensions 4 integral with said horizontal projections.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT B. LANG.

Witnesses:

J. D. RIPPEY, JOHN C. HIGDON. 

